ASTROLOGY

Saint Francis: by way of Neptune and Uranus

On March 13, 2013 the story of Saint Francis re-entered mass consciousness with the birthing of Pope Francis. No matter your opinion regarding the political scandal and gossip concerning the Vatican and the Catholic Church, the horrific accusations and coverings up of sexual abuse amongst priests and other acts of oppression, the choice of the precedent shattering name Pope Francis has brought Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) back into collective consciousness on a massive scale, and there are important insights to be gained from paying attention to him.

Addressing the media for the first time on March 16, 2013, Pope Francis said he chose to evoke Saint Francis of Assisi with his name because he was “the man of poverty, of peace” and that he wants “a poor church for the poor”². In his installation Mass on March 19, the atmosphere was described by media as electric and he transformed the papacy priorities with calls for protecting the environment and helping the most disenfranchised in our communities, pledging that he will serve “the poorest, the weakest, the least important” and that “amid so much darkness, we need to see the light of hope and to be men and women who bring hope to others”³. These themes, like much of the life of Saint Francis, link with the archetypes of Uranus and Neptune.

In relation to Uranus, Saint Francis of Assisi led a life of intense individuation, dissolving an identity of privilege in which he enthusiastically joined the crusades as a Knight, metamorphosing through intense contact and communication with nature and creatures of nature, like birds. He was a radical who honored Natural Law more so than the human-made laws of the status quo, for example encouraging women to take leadership roles and organize communities in Spirit. He had Neptunian visions of the Holy Spirit in his inner space, while in his explorations of the outer space around him he found God in a tree, or in the apprearance of a rabbit. He integrated his Neptune connection with divinity into Uranus work of shifting the consciousness of those around him, being a Spiritual warrior who could battle the elements and build a church and spiritual community from the ground up with his own resources.

Saint Francis is perhaps most special because of his “tender beholding of aspects of Nature as living beings,” as described by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. He is the Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment, and his connection with a new Pope and hope amongst the Church to re-connect with younger generations is fitting because Saint Francis came into his personal power during an opposition between Uranus and Neptune, and the generation coming of age at this time (born between 1988 and 1998) all have a conjunction of Uranus and Neptune in their natal birth charts. I teach in a program in which all of my students have been born so far between 1991 and 1996 with this conjunction, and a notable amount of them have dreams and career goals related to working with animals, healing and protecting animals. Many of my students hope to become veterinarians, and many also hope to travel to specific regions of the world to protect specific species of animals (New Zealand or Australia for example).

Saint Francis embodied the archetypes of Uranus and Neptune not just because there was an opposition between Uranus and Neptune when his work and disciples were really catching on, but through his intention of being an instrument of Spirit, his communal activism on behalf of the poor and outcast, and in his refusal to join the organized Christian church. Though the Pope eventually gave him approval, he never actually became a “priest,” never took vows of chastity or demanded all of the regulated rules of the Christian Church upon his followers. He only asked to love God, love Nature, and asked each to love and know God according to their own capacity. He saw the connection between birds, animals, the natural world, and God- he didn’t see the duality of separateness, and intended to live from this belief. He was communal and collective in his spirituality, choosing to live a life of poverty and live by natural law and the true message of Jesus of Nazareth. Indeed, there was a collective Uranus-Aquarius nature to the Franciscan order he developed, the brotherhood and sisterhood of his followers willing to live in poverty and serve others and find their own spiritual understanding. Radical for the times, he broke away from traditional norms regarding women, helping women form their own spiritual order and find a place within his spiritual following. In Cosmos and Psyche Richard Tarnas analyzed the link between the life of Saint Francis and the orbital cycle of Uranus and Neptune:

The…Uranus-Neptune opposition of 1214-30 coincided with the widespread evangelical awakening led by Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic and the rapid dissemination throughout Europe of the Franciscan and Dominican orders. Here the characteristic archetypal themes of the Uranus-Neptune cycle were visible not only in the decisive spiritual quickening of the era but also in the Franciscans’ and Dominicans’ innovative dissolving of the boundaries between the lay world and the religious, bringing the dynamism of the Christian faith out of the cloister and into the world; in the more democratic forms of government within these religious orders that affirmed greater individual autonomy; in Francis’s sense of universal compassion that extended to a mystical participation in nature as an expression of divinity, subverting traditional Christian tendencies towards a dualism of spirit and nature… (p. 367)

Franco Zeffirelli’s portrait of Saint Francis, Brother Sun, Sister Moon, shows Francis growing up in wealth and privilege, crusading off to war, and then experiencing a mental break in which he questions the entire power paradigm underlying the reality surrounding him since birth, leading him to connect with the natural world, Spirit, God, and the true life and work of Jesus of Nazareth, even experiencing ecstatic visions. The film poetically illustrates how he dedicated himself to a life of poverty and serving those in poverty and those cast out as lepers and other exiles, connecting with animals as well, and emphatically refusing the trappings of wealth and power associated with the organized Christian Church. In the climatic scene in which Francis meets the Pope in person, he catalyzes the Pope to re-connect with his core sense of spiritual self through mere contact. The film was released in 1972 and has an aesthetic informed by the counterculture movements of the 1960s, showing the radical spirituality of this Saint who really was radical and a threat to the established order. The scene below is from his early process of breaking from his past to connect with Spirit:

As in the scene above, Brother Sun Sister Moon portrays a deepening relationship between Clare and Francis, eventually immortalized by the Chuch as St. Clare and St. Francis. Later in the film, Clare is called to join Francis in his work and calls out to him: “I am not seeking to be understood, I want to understand! I am not asking to be loved, I want to love!” This line reflects one of the major themes of the famous “Prayer of St. Francis” which is attributed to St. Francis, but according to historical records was not actually written by St. Francis (although it does encapsulate the major themes of his life and work)¹.

One of the most famous prayers/poems that Saint Francis actually did write is the “Canticle of the Sun,” written when he was recovering from an intense illness in a cottage built by his dear friend Saint Clare. The poem evokes Uranus and Neptune through lyrically describing elements of nature and spirituality as a community of beings he has a personal relationship with. The following translation of it is by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes, who noted that the “ancient word canticle means to sing,” and so this poem was written in a rhythm meant to be chanted:

To Creator:
the Great Elder of Highest Good–
You’re so deserving of our tender thanks…
You’re so easy to recognize,
and so deserving of fragrant bouquets,
so made happy by our blessings
and offerings of beauty
to You.

In you alone, Great Elder, are all our offerings held by You in all right ways. No unawakened human mouth yet knows how to pronounce the depths of your name.

Be thanked our dear Creator, through all your creatures…

especially through *my lord Brother Sun,* who brings illumination. And thank you, for You give us Light through him.

*Brother Sun* is beautiful and radiant in all his fiery magnitude! Of You, in your highest altitude, *Brother Sun* bears your likeness.

Thank you too, through *Sister Moon and the Stars*; In the heavens you have made them flashing, so dear to us, and engaging with us.

Thank you dear Elder, through *Brothers Wind and Air,* and *Clouds and Storms, and all the Weather* through which You offer Your creatures shelter, food, and livelihood.

Thank you also, through *Sister Water;* for she is so helpful to many and so without vanity, so precious to us, and unsullied from first source.

Thank you Creator, through *Brother Fire,* whom You give to blaze light into the night. He is beautiful and cheerful, and commanding and unafraid.

Thank you too, through our *sister Mother Earth,* who nourishes us and shapes us, and creates endless fruits with colored flowers and herbs***.

Thank You Creator through those who forgive others out of Love for You, and thank You also through those who endure sickness and trial. Content are those who endure in peace, for by You, Creator, they will be garlanded.

Thank You too, through our Sister, *Death of the Body,* from whose embrace no living person can escape. Distress comes to those who die separated from Creator…

Fittingly enough, the times during which Pope Benedict resigned and Pope Francis ascended have been dominated by archetypal themes of Neptune and Uranus. On February 11, 2013 when the resignation of Pope Benedict was announced, there was a conjunction between Mercury, Mars, Neptune, Chiron, and the Moon in Pisces. It didn’t take much of a leap of an astrologer’s imagination to connect this intense stellium of Piscean energy with the presence of the Holy Spirit in this shocking decision and announcement. In addition to this Neptune archetypal link, there was also a Uranian omen in the form of this striking sign from nature on this day as St. Peter’s Basilica was literally struck from above:

In the following month, during much projection and prediction among pundits regarding exactly what the Cardinals would choose to do and exactly whom they would choose to anoint as the new Pope, there was an intense wave of Pisces energy with the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Chiron, Neptune, and the Moon moving through Pisces. Mercury in particular stationed retrograde conjunct Mars and then moved backward to form conjunctions for the second time with the Sun, Chiron, and Venus. All of this Pisces energy evoked the Neptune archetype of Saint Francis.

Interestingly, by the time the Cardinals finally made their decision the Uranus archetype of Saint Francis was activated, as Mars had just broken through into Aries and was moving into a conjunction with Uranus, evoking the initiating Uranus archetype of Saint Francis of Assisi. The chart for the announcement of Pope Francis has a balsamic conjunction of Uranus and Mars in Aries conjunct the Descendant- an electric drive that is in service through a relationship with the World. There is an Aries Mars-Uranus drive of Pope Francis to individuate his role from past papacy privileges by making choices like choosing a name without precedent and riding the city bus to be with the people instead of an isolated luxury transport.

The Neptune archetype can be seen through the karmic release and resolution signified by the balsamic Mars-Uranus, the Sun and Venus conjunct in Pisces, and Neptune in Pisces conjunct Mercury retrograde and Chiron in Pisces at the time of the selection of Pope Francis. It has been noted that as a Jesuit he could perhaps “think differently” and there are signs in the announcement chart that indicate an intention to transform some of the set patterns of perspective from the papacy (Pisces Chiron-Mercury-Neptune in trine to Scorpio Saturn retrograde in 2nd), while at the same time there are signs he could stubbornly cling to some of the old dogmatic papacy beliefs that critics of the Church have felt have been oppressive toward women, among others (Pisces Sun-Venus square Gemini Ceres-Lilith-Vesta in 9th; Gemini Jupiter-Vesta in 9th square Pisces Chiron-Mercury-Neptune in 5th). Yet at the same time, these same symbols, plus the potent Uranus energy, reflect a purpose he could have to individuate the Papal role in a true role of service to the People through creatively actualizing his Pisces Mercury-Neptune faith, and many of his early statements reflect this intention:

“Let us never forget that authentic power is service . . . and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important, those whom Matthew lists in the final judgment on love: the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and those in prison.” — Pope Francis³

Just as the selection of the Pope is supposed to be guided by the Holy Spirit, there does seem to be an energy of Divine Intervention about the selection of this new Pope who brings the symbol of Saint Francis of Assisi prominently into our collective consciousness.

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17 thoughts on “Saint Francis: by way of Neptune and Uranus”

One of the difficulties Astrology faces at the dawn of the 21st century is the question of how is it possible for the average person to possibly understand the meaning of statements like this:

“The Neptune archetype can be seen through the karmic release and resolution signified by the balsamic Mars-Uranus, and Neptune in Pisces conjunct Mercury retrograde and Chiron in Pisces at the time of the selection of Pope Francis. The Sun and Venus are conjunct in Pisces in the 6th House of doing pragmatic work that embodies Spirit. This Pisces Chiron-Mercury-Neptune being in trine to Saturn retrograde in Scorpio in the second indicates the intention this Pope is setting of transforming some of the crystallized papacy patterns, though with the square to Jupiter-Vesta in Gemini in the ninth house he will still cling to some of the old dogmatic papacy beliefs. The shadow side of Neptune involves a 9th house dogmatic belief system Pope Francis could stubbornly persist in perceiving (Mercury) ultimate understanding of God (Neptune) through, and the Pisces Venus-Sun squaring Gemini Ceres-Lilith-Vesta symbolizes how these dogmatic beliefs have oppressed women and matriarchal consciousness. Yet at the same time, there are symbols in his announcement chart of individuating the Papal role in a true role of service to the People through creatively actualizing his Pisces Mercury-Neptune faith.”

What use is even the most profound of messages if it is not spoken in a language that the audience can understand?

Thank you for your comments Maxwell, that is important to consider. It wasn’t on my radar that many people were reading my blog who do not understand astrology aspects, as I have written about them a lot in the past. You make an excellent point, however, and I will work on doing this. I have gone back and re-edited the section you noted: hopefully it is easier to understand now.
with gratitude,
Gray

I have always thought that astrology is one of a precious few subjects worth studying in detail if one wants to understand the nature of reality. It is not easy but it is most rewarding.
I must say I am in awe of this article, its depth and its clarity.

This was such an interesting article. I’m not an astrologer, but was interested in how you witness the interconnection of all events. Its not often that people can see beyond the separation of the human body. As for the new Pope, before reading this, all I could see was paedophiles, and wondered is the new guy was one too. You’ve opened my eyes to the bigger picture (which I was convinced I always saw). I see now how my eyes were closed because of the scandals of the church. The message planted in the collective IS important, as you say. I came here via Symbol Reader and am happy that I did. Thank you.

Thank you, I am very happy that you enjoyed and understood my writing despite not being an astrologer. I am hoping to make it more accessible. Pope Francis is very interesting- since writing this article on March 19 I have noticed more confirmation that he will be taking things in a very different direction, and importantly a direction of service- such as visiting prisons and washing the feet of prisoners. I’m not sure yet how much of the Church scandal he will be able to or willing to address, but already he seems to have re-vitalized the Church more in line with the true message of Jesus.

Thank you for this idea. I wish I knew what you are talking about, but I will take a look at my settings and see if I can figure it out. I am very much a novice at having a blog, so any tips like your suggestion here are very helpful to me. Thank you!

Gray,
Another awesome article! It fills me with hope when I see an archetype come to life meant for healing.

Like Maxwell, I believe your amazing ability to read the connections will grow, importantly, in your writing, as well, as you expand it so that more non-trained readers can follow, relate, and benefit from your deep insights.
So like Pope Francis riding the bus. Coming down to the people. To their level. Where our spirituality is most needed. On the street.

I am also a huge fan of Clarissa Pinkola Estes. I love the way her story telling affects even the untrained amongst us. She translates very complex understandings into “around the campfire” without dimming down a bit, just bringing it to that collective unconscious/conscious, able-to-awaken place, where our innate responses to the mysteries dwell, a place that we all inhabit, no matter how primitive -or how ivory tower- our own understandings are. For the same reasons, I am a huge fan of works by Marie-Louise von Franz (such as The Cat: A Tale of Feminine Redemption (Studies in Jungian Psychology) and work I have read by Joan Gould.

And even though I too am untrained in astrology, per se, your writing struck deep chords in me none-the-less, but especially in the places where I could understand. I have recently had a lot of connections happening that I couldn’t earlier “force.” I think this sense of opening in the world, of being able to teach as well as learn, to both read and listen to the archetypes around us is a really good sign happening currently. It seems to be both timely and in need of happening for healing both the individual and the collective suffering that is so prevalent currently. Thank you so much for this blog and your offering of it.

Thank you, Roberta. I am going to work on making my writing more accessible. Honestly, up until this past month I didn’t realize I had people reading my blog who did not understand astrology, as I’ve been doing more experimental writing for myself about astrology archetypes, some of which are fairly obscure even. In the first astrology reading I ever received for myself, this same intention you are describing, about making my writing and communication accessible to “the people” so to speak, was spoken to me. At the time I thought it had to do with more creative writing (like wanting to do something complex symbologically like James Joyce yet not have it be something that is only understood by people who have gone through high education systems), and at the time the idea of me writing about astrology was very far away. I can see clearly now, however, that this is an important goal for me to work on. I also love the work of Clarissa Pinkola Estes and being able to write and communicate in the way she is able to reach readers is a lofty goal of mine. I will work on it- I thank you for your thoughts and willingness to give me constructive feedback. with gratitude, Gray

I came here to tell you that I have read an interesting article about St Francis in a Polish magazine. He really was a mystic and he apparently had very vivid, visionary dreams. The most important dream for him was the one in which he saw armours with crosses on them. I find it peculiar that no other pope has taken this name before.
Having read the previous comments about the necessity to make your writing more accessible, I couldn’t agree more with some reservations. Jung wrote that the language of archetypes is sort of lofty and bombastic, hard and esoteric and very beautiful. I think your writing has this quality of transcendence, it shows that the archetypes are really alive for you. I wouldn’t like that quality to change but I would love to see some articles on your website aimed at popularizing astrology, not only its specialized tidbits such as asteroids (which I love, don’t get me wrong). I really think you have the gift of inspiring others and I would like to learn from you about astrology.

Thank you again for your compliments. It is validating to hear from people who understand my thought processes and communication methods as they currently exist. It is also interesting to consider the thoughts of Jung you have included- the beauty of it all is the core I would like to share, no matter how difficult. So far I’ve been using this blog mostly to experiment with my own astrological writing, to find my voice- it has not been my intention to cover astrology on a more popular level of understanding- partially, though, that is just because I didn’t really see myself as someone who would do that. Usually when I write something I go with the image or idea that arises from within me. It is nice to hear you see me as someone who can inspire the interest of others in astrology, so I will keep that in mind.

I am deeply convinced you can inspire anybody’s interest because you will do it in your own unique way, through archetypes and images, appealing to their deepest emotions.
I honestly do not see your writing as inaccessible at all. The problem may only lie in some readers not being familiar with astrological symbolism, but once this obstacle is removed, there is only the beauty of your writing that is left.